Ethical Issues In Genetic Engineering Children

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. Deoxyribonucleic corrosive is an atom that conveys a large portion of the hereditary guidelines utilized as a part of the improvement, working and propagation of all known living creatures and numerous infections. The National Institutes of Health and Welcome Trust from the London UK and Craig Vendor of Celera Genomics from Maryland USA at the same time exhibited the grouping of human DNA in June of 2000, finishing the first significant attempt of the Human Genome Project (HGP) (Ridley 2). As researchers connection human attributes to qualities fragments of DNA found on one or a greater amount of the 23 human

DNA are like legos, they work together to build the traits of living things. They are the building blocks of the body. Many scientists today have been figuring out different ways to manipulate, change, add, and subtract genes from the DNA in living things; this is process is called genetic engineering. Some of the living things being experimented on are live people, plants, and animals. Today scientists are debating on the morals of genetic engineering due to what the community thinks of it, because of the christian 's viewpoint of genetic engineering. To some christians it may pose a threat to their, but to others it may be a blessing or a gift. Genetic Engineering is a growing breakthrough in the science community. “Over the last 30 years, the field of genetic engineering has developed rapidly due to the greater understanding of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as the chemical double helix code from which genes are made. The term genetic engineering is used to describe the process by which the genetic makeup of an organism can be altered using “recombinant DNA technology.” This involves the use of laboratory tools to insert, alter, or cut out pieces of DNA that contain one or more genes of interest.”(Pocket K No. 17) Scientist have yet to unlock the full potential of genetic engineering, but the information and the use they have found for it today has reached farther than anyone 's expectations.

The field of Bioethics has developed over the past thirty years as a product of

Genetic Modification is often perceived as the answer to humanity’s faults because it will enhance human abilities, prevent the survival of incapacitating disabilities, and guide the innovation of the future. Sounds pretty good, right? That is not the reality. Genetic modification is not the solution to the ubiquitous problems of the human race, but rather infringes on individual rights, decreases diversity, permits too much power to the human race, and contributes to overpopulation.

wrong—our moral life in community. Bioethics is the application of ethics to the field of medicine and

Medical professionals today can screen for certain genetic traits (genetic diseases and sex) with in vitro fertilization and preimplantation genetic diagnosis to obtain a healthy child, and reproductive technology continues to improve. With this in mind, the question arises whether sex selection is ethical. Julian Savulescu, Uehiro Professor of Practical Ethics at Oxford University, argues that sex selection is moral, based on his ethical principle of Procreative Beneficence: that “couples (or single reproducers) should select the child, of the possible children they could have, who is expected to have the best life, or at least as good a life as the others, based on the relevant, available information” [Savulescu 1]. Savulescu claims

Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive technology in which, embryos are genetically analysed, before either being implanted into the uterus or discarded. It is most commonly used to avoid genetic diseases. Many ethical issues have been raised due to the increasing use of this technology. Eugenics is the process of enhancing the gene pool, for the improvement of humanity. One objection to the use of PGD technology is that it is unethical as it will lead to negative outcomes associated with the past eugenic movement.

An important aspect which comes to the terms of making laws and prohibition of the ability to design or genetically modify your child revolves around the matter of ethics. Very controversial subject when you're being asked to speak on behalf of millions of people on what is right and wrong. In one article Embryo.ase.edu/pages/ethics-designer-babies they make sure to include a few scenarios that can help us define what ‘crossing the line’ would be. For example, when asked if being able to design babies is ethical you have to know who's the parent or guardian behind this. Being able to dispose of unwanted traits like obesity for example can be considered as ethical because it can cause health related problems in the future. Some would argue that this trait is something that can be avoided without the use of genetic engineering, which can be avoided sometimes yes, but is difficult and requires a

The common moral principlism is a systematized approach to tackling bioethical dilemmas using the “commonly held principles [of] autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice” (Evans, 46). The principlism approach is an extension of the Belmont Report, which arose as a direct response to unfacilitated human experimentations (Evans, 41-43). Additionally, it expands upon the jurisdiction of the Belmont Report to encompass “all issues in science and medicine” (Evans, 64). The principlism structure is dominant over the scientific and theological perspectives because it manifests the collective interest of the public and delegates moral decisions to nonpartisan mediators (Evans, 57-58). The common moral principlism establishes a guideline

Science is now able to better improve human health and safety thanks to the advanced modern technology and medicine that are available. Yet with today's technology being implemented into science comes the questions of human morality, or bioethics. One of the bioethics debates is on the coined term “Designer babies”; on if or where society should draw the line on genetically altering our children before they are born. With the technology able to stop hereditary diseases, the scientific development’s are able to change the child’s “eye color, hair color, social intelligence, right down to whether or not your child would have a widow’s peak” before the child is born. From the options on choosing whether or not your child will look or act a certain

Beauchamp, Tom L., and James F. Childress. Principles of Biomedical Ethics. 6th ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.

According to Blau and Springer (1995), gene therapy is a newly rising approach at the end of the 20th century and aims to open new door for the treatment of various human diseases based on transfer of genetic materials to cells. The recent gene therapy research has focused on treating individuals by targeting the therapy to body cells such as bone marrow or blood cells. This type of gene therapy is not inherited and thus it cannot be passed down on to a person’s children in the future. Meanwhile, gene therapy could also be targeted to egg and sperm cells (knowns as germline gene therapy) which would allow the inserted gene to be passed on to the progeny. Germline gene therapy allows the correction of disease-causing

Genetic engineering has to do with manipulating organisms and DNA to create body characteristics. The practice of genetic DNA has shown an increasing amount over the past years. The process of genetic enhancement involves manipulating organisms by using biotechnologies. The technique is by removing a DNA from one life form and transferring it to another set of traits or organism. Certain barriers are conquered, and the procedure involves changing a form of cells, resulting from an improvement or developed organism. GMO which is a (Genetic Modified Organisms) is the operation done in a laboratory where DNA genetic from one particular species or animals is directly forced into another gene from an unrelated subject of plants or even animals.

Ethics, in medicine, is described as applying one’s morals and values to healthcare decisions (Fremgen 2012). It requires a critical-thinking approach that examines important considerations such as fairness for all patients, the impact of the decision on society and the future repercussions of the decision (Fremgen 2012). According to Fremgen (2012), bioethics concerns ethical issues discussed in the perspective of advanced medical technology. Goldman and Schafer (2012) state bioethical issues that arise in medical practice include antibiotics, dialysis, transplantation, intensive care units, issues of genetics, reproductive choices and termination of care. In clinical practice the most common issues revolve around informed consent, termination of life-sustaining treatments, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, and conflicts of interest (Goldman, Schafer 2012).

Bioethics is the study of controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. It focuses on human values and morals and whether or not these scientific developments hinder those values and morals. The field of Bioethics is searching for the line that shouldn’t be crossed by scientific researchers and medical doctors. It also deals with commonly debated issues such as the use of stem cells and genetic engineering practices like cloning. The advancement of technology in the field of science and medicine has allowed scientists to carry out new procedures like the ones listed above, rather than wonder if they are even possible. But scientific progress doesn’t come about without a little debate over whether or not this new technology is being used in an ethical manner. For example, many people are opposed to the use of stem cells from an aborted fetus because they believe life begins at conception. Another group of people are opposed to the idea of human cloning because they believe man is trying to play the role of God in human creation. In order to find the line between the ethical and unethical, it is going to require investigation, debate, and review of the science available and weighing the consequences versus the benefits that can either hurt or help mankind.